Parish event center plan progresses

In this file photo, a yearling heads to auction at the annual consignor select yearling sale at Copper Crowne in Opelousas. The owner of that facility is an investor in a proposed event center and multi-use development that civic and business leaders say could deliver a major economic boost to St. Landry Parish.
(Photo: "Freddie Herpin;ODW")

For years, many people have dreamed about a major multi-purpose event center for St. Landry Parish. Now the idea seems to be catching on and soon it may be on the fast track.

Business and political leaders are coalescing behind the project that studies indicate could generate up to $100 million a year in new revenue for the parish.

Bill Rodier, St. Landry Parish Economic Development executive director, sketched out the broad outlines of the project, now known as Crowne Parc, to his board Wednesday.

“The Crowne Parc development is literally changing by the day and it is exciting change,” Rodier said.

Just hours later a veritable who’s who of parish business and political leaders assembled to discuss the creation of a tax increment financing district to pay for the project.

“In the 17 years I have been here I have never seen such an ability to bring multiple public agencies together in such a positive way. This is a big group,” Andy Dakin, SLED’s board chairman said of the gathering that included Parish President Bill Fontenot, Parish Tax Assessor Rhyn Duplechain, Opelousas Mayor Donald Cravins Sr. and many more.

SLED has been pushing the plan for years. It has paid for multiple studies to determine if such a project is viable.

What has moved the project from a study toward reality is the involvement of Harold Forman, owner of Copper Crowne, a large veterinary and horse care facility complete with scores of stables and horse auction facilities south of Opelousas.

He and others own about 300 acres of largely empty land north of Harry Guilbeau Road between Interstate 49 and La. 182. The group has agreed to donate 60 of those acres to the event center.

The rest of the land would be included in the proposed TIF district to fund the construction of the event center.

TIF districts, which are increasingly being used to fund major projects throughout the state, allow for the levying of a special tax just within the district which would be used to operate the center and retire any bonds that may be sold to fund its construction.

“The taxing district will create its own economy where nothing exists now,” Rodier said, pointing out the land is largely vacant at the moment.

As it has progressed over the years, the project has continuously grown from the initial plan of a 3,000-seat auditorium to host horse shows.

Under discussion now: a major 6,000 seat multi-purpose center capable of hosting events from major concerts to basketball games and more.

Adjacent would be a 200-unit recreational vehicle park and a major shopping-residential district with restaurants and stores on the ground floor and upscale apartments above.

Also envisioned are multiple major retail stores. Rodier and Forman say several have already signed on to the project.

Forman praised SLED for carrying the ball so far. “Your expo committee took the lead. You led us to this point,” Forman said. “I feel honored to donate those 60 acres to show that the private sector is taking its part seriously.”

The next major hurdle will be convincing the state to invest about $6 million to add roads, utilities and other infrastructure in the area.

Rodier expressed optimism that will happen. “When I made this presentation to our legislative delegation every single one of them said ‘whatever you need, count me in.’ They are behind this,” Rodier said.

Local business leaders will support the plan and help sell it to the state.

With land in the area selling for more than $65,000 an acre, Rodier said, the 60-acre donation amounts to a significant buy-in from the business community.

Forman has also recruited a wide range of others to support the plan and told the SLED board he has been amazed at the level of cooperation he has received from everyone at every level.

The Opelousas and Parish councils expect to review the proposal to create the TIF district in the near future and Forman said he is hoping for unanimous support from both bodies.

“Our goal is to go to Baton Rouge as a united front,” Forman said. “We want to make sure this is done properly and with ownership from the entire community. This is not just a project of one or two people.”

He also argued that the project makes good sense for the state, which collects its own 4 percent sales tax.

“If we generate $100 million a year in new revenue, that’s $4 million to the state,” Forman said.

As envisioned, the project would be governed by its own board, appointed by the parish and city.

“That way the city and parish would have no liability,” Forman said. “The district would own itself.”